June 2026 Board of Health Meeting - Update on WECHU ACEs and Trauma-Informed Care Initiatives Information Report

Meeting Date
June 2026 Board of Health Meeting
Meeting Document Type
Information Report
Update on WECHU ACEs and Trauma-Informed Care Initiatives

PREPARED BY: Comprehensive Health Promotion

DATE: 2026-06-25

SUBJECT: Update on WECHU ACEs and Trauma-Informed Care Initiatives

BACKGROUND

This information report provides an update on Windsor-Essex County Health Unit’s (WECHU’s) work related to Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and trauma-informed care. The report highlights the progress made since the May 2025 Board Information Report and outlines planned initiatives for 2026 to support coordinated region-wide prevention efforts. 

DISCUSSION

Since the May 2025 report, WECHU has made measurable progress in advancing ACEs prevention and trauma-informed care through community engagement, policy dissemination, internal capacity building, and public awareness initiatives. Key activities and early outcomes completed to date include:

Community Engagement and Collaboration:

  • Engaged more than 20 community partners through four community meetings to strengthen collaboration, identify regional priorities, and support policy development, implementation, and training adoption.
  • Key discussion and takeaway points from these meetings included:
    • Increased awareness of the health impacts of ACEs and trauma. 
    • Introduction of the Ontario Early Adversity and Resilience Framework as a guiding resource. 
    • Identified priority areas for collective action, including the development of a community-wide awareness approach.
    • Hosted a guest speaker from the Community Resilience Coalition of Guelph and Wellington to share best practices and lessons learned related to establishing an ACEs and resilience coalition. 
    • Established a formal committee structure, including working groups, to support coordinated regional initiatives in 2026.

Policy Advancement and Partner Adoption:

  • Introduced a Board Resolution (November 2025) to support regional collaboration in reducing ACEs, strengthening protective factors, and encouraging adoption of WECHU’s ACEs Awareness and Trauma-Informed Care Principles policy and e-learning modules. Progress following the resolution:
    • A sample policy was shared with more than 40 community partners in March 2026; approximately 50% have advanced it to senior leadership and/or are planning integration into organizational policies.
      • Two e-learning modules released (May 2026); with limited promotion, nearly 20% of community partners who received access have completed the modules.

Internal Capacity Building: 

  • Implemented a WECHU policy requiring mandatory ACEs awareness and trauma-informed care principles training for all WECHU staff, students, and Board of Health members; 68% have viewed the policy to date.
  • Shared two e-learning modules (early May 2026) with WECHU staff, students, and Board of Health members to support the mandatory training. Since implementation, approximately 25% of WECHU staff have completed the training.

Public Awareness and Outreach:

  • Launched a social media campaign in December 2025 to raise awareness of the importance of healthy, supportive caregiver-child relationships, reaching more than 42,600 unique users.
  • Developed and promoted a dedicated ACEs and trauma-informed care webpage featuring e-learning modules, the sample policy, and additional resources for service providers and the public. 

Partner Support Resources: 

  • Disseminated promotional materials to community service providers to promote the new webpage and resources (e.g., postcards, 211 advertising).
  • Developed an orientation package and presentation for community partners to promote integration of ACEs awareness and trauma-informed care principles into organizational policies, programs, and services.

NEXT STEPS

Building on progress achieved in 2025, WECHU will continue collaborating with community partners to strengthen coordinated region‑wide efforts to prevent ACEs and advance trauma‑informed care. Key initiatives underway or planned for 2026 include:

  • Establish a 2026/2027 community-wide framework and action plan in summer 2026 to align regional priorities and define shared goals and actions related to ACEs prevention and trauma-informed care in Windsor-Essex County.
  • Collaborate with WECHU departments and community partners throughout summer 2026 to develop communication and outreach strategies that embed ACEs awareness and trauma-informed care approaches into current and future programming, with a focus on populations experiencing higher levels of adversity.
  • Developing targeted training modules (fall 2026) for priority sectors including education, childcare, and health care. 
  • Advancing policy integration efforts by the end of 2026 to embed trauma-informed care principles and best practices across WECHU programs and services, and within partner organizations where feasible.